The National Council of Provinces’ (NCOP) select committee on public petitions and executive undertakings will visit the SA Lithium mining site in Magogo Village, Umzumbe, KwaZulu-Natal, on Friday.
The committee is expected to confront a storm of grievances from surrounding communities over alleged forced displacement, intimidation, environmental degradation, and a lack of meaningful consultation.
The visit was triggered by a petition submitted to parliament by Michael Kholiswa Sithole, signed by more than 1,900 residents, accusing the mine of systematically disregarding mining regulations.
The petition alleges SA Lithium failed to conduct proper consultations before commencing operations, violated cultural rights by relocating graves without due process and caused structural damage to homes through blasting.
It also claims complaints submitted to the director-general of mineral resources and energy were ignored.
Last month the Sunday Times reported families near the Highbury mine were forced to evacuate during blasting, while others face dust pollution, water scarcity and fears of land dispossession.
This prompted MK Party MP EK Madlala to ask mineral resources minister Gwede Mantashe what steps were being taken to enforce compliance and ensure Umzumbe residents benefit from the mine’s operations.
In his written reply, Mantashe said SA Lithium was complying with the Mine Health and Safety Act, including a blast notification system using WhatsApp, signage and direct alerts.
He said the company will build a sports facility and incubation centre in Ray Nkonyeni municipality, drill boreholes to improve water access, provide support for small businesses through training and equipment and provide human resource development via education, learnerships and bursaries.
Committee chairperson Ofentse Mokae said the visit underscored the urgency of the matter.
“We have committed ourselves to processing petitions without delay. Meeting petitioners directly allows us to fully grasp the issues at hand so when we deliberate in Cape Town, we do so with a comprehensive understanding to guide our decisions.”
Despite government assurances, communities from uMzumbe’s Magogo, eChibini, and Umsinsini villages said they’ve been sidelined.
Community leader Jobe Sithole, who led a separate petition, said: “We were not consulted. We live with cracked homes, polluted water and uncertainty about our future.”
Environmental groups have raised alarms over the mine’s proximity to the Umzumbe River and its potential impact on marine protected areas and tourism infrastructure along the South Coast, a region known for its seven Blue Flag beaches.
Community lawyer Barnabas Xulu welcomed the committee’s intervention: “We have at all material times recorded the matter is one that can be amicably resolved. However, it is paramount for mining companies to respect the environment and host communities and fulfil their legal obligations. The committee’s site visit is a critical first step towards ensuring compliance and addressing community grievances.”
SA Lithium’s lawyer Bulelwa Mabasa didn't respond to queries about the visit.
The committee’s findings will be compiled into a report for parliament, potentially shaping future licensing decisions and oversight mechanisms for critical mineral extraction.
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